M&M Sales and Equipment offers end mills and other accessories from Sandvik and Guhring. We also offer other cutting tools and accessories by Drillco, Guhring and Drillco. This guide will assist you in choosing the best end mill for your job.

It's not a secret that the machinists speak their own languages, even basic math. The world's population starts at 1. Ask a machinist about how they measure and they will inform you that everything starts at one-thousandths of a inch (0.001")

It's the same when it comes to cutting tools. Machining terminology is not the same to a layman. {In the world outside the letters pcd end mill are commonly used interchangeably, however that can create confusion when referring to the specific tools used in CNC machines. CNC machines for industrial use (Computer Numeric Control) machines make use of rotating cutting tools known as end mills that remove materials.

What are end mills and what are they that differ from drill bits? Drill bits are inserted vertically into materials to make holes, while end mills typically cut laterally and horizontally, but most mills can actually cut vertically as well.

This is a graphic to illustrate the differences between an end mill and a regular drill bit.

What is the best end mill for your project

End mills serve a function. Each shape of the tip provides a different clearing path for various applications. Deciding which end mill to choose is mostly dependent on the type of project, the kind of material needs to be cut as well as the desired finish. Making the wrong choice with a cutting tool can cause irreparable damage to a piece, which can cause the scrapping of all of the material. Not only is that an enormous cost of time and energy, but it also comes at a substantial expense to your business.

There's a lot to consider when choosing the right end mill for your CNC operation. To help you choose the most suitable end mill, we've compiled a few guidelines from Machining News.

End Mill Length

Determine the cut depth your end mill must cut. The endmill that is the shortest in length and will still be able to cut the work is the most efficient. The reason? The tool's stability is enhanced by selecting the shortest length. This will enable you to feed more efficiently and faster and reduce chatter.

End Mill Materials

High-speed steel (HSS), and carbide are two of the most frequently used materials in the making of end mills. HSS can be used in older machines that are slow or more brittle, and also for production that is one-off or limited-run. While it is slower than other materials, it is less expensive, less brittle, and can stand up to instabilities better. Carbide is preferred in CNC machines where greater rates, less frequent tooling changes and higher productivity are needed. In these applications, the higher cost is easily justified by longer tool lifespan and shorter cycle times.

Flute Count

The flutes are the helical grooves that wrap around the sides of carbide end mill tool life. For long-chipping materials like aluminum, a lesser amount of flutes (between 2 and 3 flute tools) will give more space for flutes. A larger number of flutes decreases the amount of space available for the flute, but could result in increased efficiency when it comes to smaller chipping materials, such as medium-to-high carbon steel and iron. A four-flute endmill is ideal to slot steel, stainless steel, high temperature alloys, as well as iron. It is also used for general-purpose work. Higher flute counts are best used for projects that have a lower radial depth of cut in order to allow the removal of chips.

End Geometry

The tool's success depends on your choice of the right 4 flutes end mill supplier. It is crucial to pay attention to what materials are recommended to be used in a tool. Equally important are the speed and feeds that the manufacturer recommends for the material.

End Mill Coatings

Coatings help in reducing friction and protecting the carbide from the heat that is generated in cutting. Certain coatings are better for specific materials. Paying attention to the manufacturer's recommendations is the best way to make sure you're using the right coating.

Tool Life

The cheapest isn't always the best. It is crucial to have the proper tools for large-scale production and large workloads. Poor or ineffective tooling could cause wasted materials, scrap, loss of expenditure on tools and wear and tear on your CNC machine.